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The choice of Amdahl as the correct answer is rooted in its origins. Amdahl Corporation was founded in 1970 by Gene Amdahl, who was indeed a former IBM engineer. The company was primarily known for its mainframe computers, which were designed to be compatible with IBM systems, catering to clients looking for alternatives to IBM’s offerings.
The reason Amdahl is highlighted in this context is due to the significant shift the company represented in the computing industry, showcasing innovation from individuals who had deep insights into IBM's technologies and practices. This background gave Amdahl the ability to create competitive products that appealed to businesses seeking robust computing solutions without relying solely on IBM.
The other companies mentioned in the options were founded by individuals without a specific background tied to IBM’s former technicians. For instance, Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Apple by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, and Oracle by Larry Ellison and his co-founders. Each of these companies has its own unique history and contributions to the computing landscape, but they do not share the same origins linked to former IBM engineers as Amdahl does.